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The Evolution of Katy Perry

From gospel girl to teenage dream, check out the California Gurl's colorful transformation!

Katy left home and headed to Nashville, where she signed to a Christian music label, and recorded a self-titled gospel rock album, under the name Kate Hudson. But after things didnât work out, she moved back to California, and changed her last name from Hudson to Perry (her motherâs maiden name).

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She wanted to expand her musical taste and would sneak CDs into the house. The first CD she bought was by Incubus.

In 2003, after having worked on a new album with producers The Matrix, the record was abandoned by Columbia, and eventually, she was dropped from the label.

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Katy was called âThe Next Big Thingâ in 2004 when she was featured by âBlenderâ magazine.

Katy dated rock band Reliant K frontman Matt Thiessen briefly in 2005. He even helped her write a few songs.

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Katy met Gym Class Herosâ Travie McCoy while on the vans warped tour. After about a year of being together, the couple split, and Travie was reportedly the subject of her song âCircle the Drainâ from her album âTeenage Dream.â

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In May 2008, her smash hit âI Kissed a Girlâ was released, which launched her career into superstardom.

Later that year, her first album on a major label was released, âOne of the Boys.â

In late 2008, a feud sparked between Katy and Lily Allen. Katy referred to herself as a âskinnier version of Lily Allen,â to which Allen said that Katy was simply an American version of her.

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Fans got a taste of Katy's style when she performed at the 2009 Grammy Awards. That same month, her singles âI Kissed a Girlâ and âHot Nâ Coldâ went platinum.

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During rehearsal for the Grammys that year, is when she met her future BFF, Rihanna.

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In early 2009, she embarked on her first headlining tour, the âHello Katyâ tour.

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Katy also performed at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, where her relationship blossomed with Russell Brand.

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Katy and Russell actually shared their first kiss in 2008 when she appeared in a cameo in his film âGet Him to the Greekâ but her scene was cut!

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Katy and Russell's romance began to heat up in the fall of 2009. They even attended Paris Fashion week together.

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In October of 2009, the news broke that Katy was working on her new album âTeenage Dream.â

In December 2009, Russell and Katy announced their engagement.

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Her single âCalifornia Gurlsâ hit the radio waves in May 2010.

2010 also brought on remarks aimed at Lady Gaga. After Gagaâs âAlejandroâ video, Perry tweeted, âUsing blasphemy as entertainment is as cheap as a comedian telling a fart joke.â Then in August, she said in an interview that she takes offense to Lady G putting a rosary in her mouth.

In 2011, Katy made her debut on the big screen in âThe Smurfsâ when she was the voice of Smurfette. She showed up to the red carpet in another look, with blonde hair and her character on her dress.

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From February 2011 until January 2012, Katy took her act on the road with her âCalifornia Dreamsâ world tour.

Katy was nominated for a staggering 10 ten MTV Video Music Awards in 2011. She won three: Video of the Year for âFirework,â Best Collaboration and Best Special Effects for âE.T.â She rocked the red carpet debuting her pink âdo!

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After only 14 months of marriage in December 2011, Katy and Russell Brand filed for divorce. Recently, she revealed in an interview that Russell broke up with her via text message.

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February 2012 brought back the blue hair!

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She performed at the 2012 Super Bowl pre-party.

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Katy took the Grammy stage once again in 2012.

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In the spring of 2012, Katy showed off another new hair color: purple.

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Katy's autobiographical film âKaty Perry: Part of Me 3Dâ was released in July 2012. The movie follows her from her start as a gospel singer to her life as a pop superstar.

Katy and John broke up briefly at the end of the summer, before being spotted out together again.

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In November 2012, Katy accepted the âWoman of the Yearâ Award at Billboardâs Women in Music event in New York City.

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That same month, she supported President Barack Obama in his re-election campaign.

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âMen's Healthâ crowned her as âSexiest Woman of 2013.â

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At the 2013 Grammy Awards the love birds showed tons of affection towards each other. But that didnât last for long because by March the two had split, with Mayer confirming the break-up on âEllen.â

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Katy seemed to have found love again with John Mayer in June 2013, when they were spotted out to dinner together.

Katy and John finally solidified their relationship by doing a duet together called "Who You Love", where they very publicly proclaimed their love for one another. Soon after they called it quits...again.